Viña Cobos Felino Chardonnay

I have very fond memories of my time here during a trip to Mendoza over 10 years ago and it ranks right up there amongst my most memorable winery visits. Mendoza is one of the most visually striking places to visit, with an endless backdrop of the magnificent snow-capped Andes framing half the sky. I had a ride on a horse ploughing the vineyards before tucking into the most awesome asado (bbq) knocked back with generous glassfuls from across their impeccable range.

Vina Cobos was the creation of Californina winemaker Paul Hobbs, a highly regarded winemaker with a number of 100-point wines scores to his name. He fell in love with the place too after consulting on a few projects and set about exploring the finest terroirs of Lujan de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. The main focus in these parts is , of course, Malbec, with Paul’s range starting with the Felino bottling (also on offer at £14.50) and culminating in single plot bottlings that sell around £250! He’s a dab-hand with Chardonnay though, with his Napa bottlings about as good as it gets.

Chardonnay for this ‘Felino’ bottling comes from a variety of plots in Lujan and Uco, with an average altitude of 1000m (Malbec is usually grown lower down). Fermentation takes place in oak with wild yeast before different cuts are agend in a mix of French oak, American oak, and stainless steel. The component parts are then masterfully blended.

Fragrant, with white flower notes, white peach and apple. Fresh and pure on the palate, beautifully balanced with Paul’s signature elegance on the finish.